Holly Jolly Tag

I saw this on Kelley’s blog and thought it would be a fun post.  Everyone is “tagged”, so fellow bloggers–feel free to post!  {Please feel free to edit per your holiday celebrations!}

1. Do you start your holiday shopping on Black Friday or wait until the last-minute?

Starting in October/November I make a list, and then check it twice.  I like to map-out holiday shopping and am pretty good about sticking to the list.  This year I finished most of my shopping the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I went to the local outlet mall at 8am and zoomed through stores.  I finished the rest of the shopping online.

2. If you could be in any holiday movie what would it be?

ELF–I’d like an ounce of the Elf’s enthusiasm!

3. Which one is your favorite Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

Christmas Eve–that’s when we’ve always celebrated…church, dinner, Santa, gifts.

4. When do you put up your decorations & who decorates?

I did not get the decorating gene from my mom.  And my dad is the rock-star outdoor lights hanger-uper.
The extent of my decorating is a small tree that I put up Monday night.  Here it is pre-ornaments:

5. White or Colored Lights?

See above.

6. Are you guilty of peeking at your presents or do you like a surprise?

This is one of the few times my brother and I worked as a team.  We knew where my mom hid the presents (bedroom closet) and we’d pull them out and try to guess what everything was.  (Sorry Mom!)

7. Would you rather live in a gingerbread house or Santa’s workshop?

Workshop.  I’d bake cookies for the elves.

8. What’s your Christmas Eve tradition?

See #3.

9. If you could get caught under the mistletoe with anyone who would it be?

We weren’t making out. He caught me off guard!

Ha, Ha!

10. What’s tops your tree?

I have an angel I need to pull out of its box.  I’ll get to that tonight.

11. Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?

No.  But I do hum/sing along to Christmas tunes.  Favorite Pandora holiday stations right now: Michael Buble Holiday, Liz Story Holiday, Gary Allen Holiday–a little Country for Christmas.  I think watching Nashville has made me turn the corner to like more Country music.

12. Do you have a Christmas countdown going?

Not yet.  Christmas has snuck up this year.  I feel like Thanksgiving was just last week.  Once I get to wrapping presents and finishing some baking, then I’ll really feel like Christmas is around the corner.

13. What are some foods and treats you can count on having every holiday season?

Cookies!

14. How has Christmas kept it’s magic for you as you’ve grown up?

Traditions and family.  Plus, the excitement and buzz that Christmas creates for my niece and nephews keeps the magic alive!

It’s looking like Wisconsin will have a white christmas.  I was startled awake at 4am by an alarm–it was my iPhone and a weather app was alerting me to this:

Pick a number–and share a favorite.  Is the blizzard headed your way?  

Kostas is preparing for the storm by hibernating in bed!